Operational Excellence Lead

Mitsubishi Electric – UK; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave 25 days + BH

Hybrid working

Pension

Life Assurance

Private Medical

Employee discounts

Cycle to Work

Job summary

Mitsubishi Electric – UK is seeking a Lean/Kaizen specialist to lead the deployment of Lean across the LES business area, delivering measurable improvements through Kaizen events and structured continuous improvement activities. The role focuses on establishing a robust Lean framework aligned to strategic priorities.

The role will assess current-state performance, define a deployment roadmap, and drive Kaizen events to deliver high-impact improvements.

Qualifications

• Lean principles knowledge and application
• Kaizen event planning and facilitation
• Problem-solving and data-driven decision making
• Cross-functional collaboration

Responsibilities

• Own and manage the pipeline of Kaizen events aligned to business priorities
• Plan, facilitate, and deliver Kaizen workshops to drive rapid, measurable improvements
• Ensure all Kaizen activities deliver clear outputs, actions, and quantified benefits
• Identify and prioritise improvement opportunities in collaboration with stakeholders
• Support the development and rollout of a Lean deployment framework across LES
• Establish baseline performance measures to identify gaps and opportunities
• Define and track improvement roadmaps aligned to strategic objectives
• Embed standard Lean tools and ways of working across the business
• Work cross-functionally to build engagement and ownership of Lean and Kaizen activities
• Facilitate workshops and coach teams in problem-solving and Lean methods
• Act as a trusted partner to stakeholders in identifying and delivering improvements
• Track and report Kaizen outcomes and overall improvement impact
• Use data to support prioritisation and decision-making

Tools

Smartsheet

Signavio

PowerApps

Job description

Are you looking to build a career within a Global Company with opportunities for growth and development? Do you want to join a company that that is making a difference?

Hours of work: Monday - Friday, 9:00 - 17:00 - with hybrid working

We, the Mitsubishi Electric Group, will contribute to the realisation of a vibrant and sustainable society through continuous technological innovation and ceaseless creativity, as a leader in the manufacture and sales of electric and electronic equipment used in Energy and Electric Systems, Industrial Automation, Information and Communication Systems, Electronic Devices, and Home Appliances.

Role summary:

The purpose of this role is to lead the deployment of Lean principles across the LES business area, with a strong focus on delivering measurable improvements through Kaizen events and structured continuous improvement activity. The role will establish a robust and measurable Lean framework aligned to strategic priorities.

The role holder will assess current-state performance through baseline measurement, define and implement a Lean deployment roadmap, and take a lead role in planning and delivering Kaizen events to drive targeted, high-impact improvements across the business.

Working both independently and with key stakeholders, the role will ensure Lean practices and Kaizen outcomes are embedded, sustained, and deliver tangible business impact aligned to operational and strategic objectives.

Skills/Responsibilities:

To be successful in this role you will need to:

• Own and manage the pipeline of Kaizen events aligned to business priorities
• Plan, facilitate, and deliver Kaizen workshops to drive rapid, measurable improvements
• Ensure all Kaizen activities deliver clear outputs, actions, and quantified benefits
• Identify and prioritise improvement opportunities in collaboration with stakeholders
• Support the development and rollout of a Lean deployment framework across LES
• Establish baseline performance measures to identify gaps and opportunities
• Define and track improvement roadmaps aligned to strategic objectives
• Embed standard Lean tools and ways of working across the business
• Work cross-functionally to build engagement and ownership of Lean and Kaizen activities
• Facilitate workshops and coach teams in problem-solving and Lean methods
• Act as a trusted partner to stakeholders in identifying and delivering improvements
• Track and report Kaizen outcomes and overall improvement impact
• Use data to support prioritisation and decision-making
• Leverage tools (e.g. Smartsheet, Signavio, PowerApps) to improve visibility and control of initiatives

In return for your commitment, we will offer you some fantastic benefits:

• Generous annual leave allowance - 25 days per year, plus bank holidays increasing by one day with each year of service until 27 days per year
• Flexible Working - we offer a range of flexible working options that include working from home or hybrid working
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Group Income Protection Scheme
• Private Medical, Dental Insurance and a Cash Plan Scheme - Single cover funded by Mitsubishi
• Access to Mitsubishi's very own discount platform
• Colleague Referral Scheme
• Holiday Buy
• Long Service Awards
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Sports & Social Club (Recent events such as theatre trips, Ascot, Paintball, The Darts)
• Employee Assistance Programme including additional services Eldercare & Best Doctors

Equality and Diversity:

As the business environment around Mitsubishi Electric Group is rapidly changing, providing a workplace where employees can work to their full potential regardless of gender or age is essential to business development.